Memphis police are looking for tips after a quietly bizarre burglary at the Brown Dog Lodge on South Germantown Parkway, where surveillance video shows a person crawling along the floor to the front desk and swiping cash from the register last Tuesday. Investigators say the business manager discovered money missing when they arrived to open up and called police. Detectives have now released the video in hopes someone recognizes the suspect.
Video shows key entry, alarm code and a crawl to the cash drawer
According to WREG, surveillance footage shows the person using a key to get inside, then punching in a code to disarm the alarm system. From there, the suspect drops low and crawls to the front desk before taking money from the cash drawer. Police say the person was dressed in a hoodie, sweatpants and gloves, and that the way they got in has led detectives to suspect a former employee might be involved. Investigators have also released still images from the video as they work to piece the case together.
Police urge tips to Crime Stoppers
Officers are asking anyone who might recognize the suspect or know anything about the break in to contact Crime Stoppers of Memphis and Shelby County at 901-528-CASH by call or text. As noted by Crime Stoppers, tips can be made anonymously and may be eligible for a reward. Detectives say they are hoping the public release of the video jogs someone’s memory and leads to an identifying tip.
Brown Dog Lodge location and local ripple effects
Brown Dog Lodge operates several facilities in the Memphis area, including the Germantown Parkway site listed on the company’s website. The business manager at that location reported money missing from the cash drawer, according to WREG. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The break in has already prompted some local owners to re-check who has keys and alarm codes for their own businesses.
Cameras, registries and tightening up access
Cases where someone walks in with a key and an alarm code are exactly why police keep urging businesses to register security cameras through Connect Memphis, a program that helps detectives quickly find nearby video when a crime happens. As outlined by Action News 5, the program lets officers know where cameras are located so they can request footage during investigations.
A recent report on a Mignon Avenue stickup case detailed how the city’s camera registry helped investigators zero in on vehicles and witnesses in another investigation. Business leaders say they will be reviewing who has keys and alarm codes, while detectives on the Brown Dog Lodge case continue to chase down any leads.
